A/N: YAY. I'm back, and in less than two weeks. Aren't you proud of me that is twice in a row. I will try to keep it up.

Now I would like to thank all those who were kind enough to review:

me – I'm happy you enjoyed the chapter. And see, I did update soon. Like I said it has been less than two weeks.

iMnOtReAlLYcRaZy – I'm glad that you like my story. Do you really like my style of writing? It is good to know. And as for the two week time limit, it is kind if nonexistent. I just update as soon as I can. But for the past two chapters I have managed two stay within the next to nonexistent time limit.

Ida Miyuki – thanks. You are one of many people who have complemented me for bringing in the AryaEragon thing in gradually. Well here is the next chapter. You do not have to wait any more.

iceprincess421 – LOL I'm glad you like it. Arya and Eragon are so perfect for each other aren't they? I like your review but I do not think that Saphira is so immature. But we can dream cant we.

AlisSilly – I didn't make you wait. Aren't you proud of me. And as for the rest of the review you will have to wait and see.

Inabikari Tsmashii – I love this story to. I am proud of myself that I actually managed to write a half decent story.

eragon the second – Very clever. Who else could it have been.

Silverdragonargetlam – thanks for the review. I'm surprised my story kept you intrigued enough to read all in one sitting. Oops, I forgot that elves don't sleep. Oh well even the best of us make mistakes. LOL

dragonhearttoo – well I updated soon. Now all you need to do is tell me what you think.

eric – I sorry if you find it a little slow. I will try to fix it up.

Emerald Tiara – It's not young love is it. Oh well, we can dream. I mean it is like young love.

Disclaimer – I do not own the Inheritance Trilogy. If I did I would not be writing a fanfic. I would be writing Empire to earn more money.

Ch.10 Chapter 9

Eragon, Arya and Saphira arrived just as dwarves started going into the hall. They followed the crowd of black clothed dwarves. Many of them had tear stained faces.

In the centre of the room was a large platform. On it was a large tomb encrusted with jewels. In it Hrothgar lay peacefully. Eragon lined up like all the others to give his blessing to the lost king. When it came to his turn, he looked at the peaceful body. Hrothgar lay clothed in his gold armour, a warrior even in death.

"Skia iej lsief odse firwfo nior – best of luck in the world beyond." (A/N: I know it is not correct, but it can't be helped because I don't speak the ancient language.)

Eragon took one last look at the body before stepping back, allowing Arya to step onto the platform. When she and Saphira had given their respects, they stood back waiting for the priest to begin his speech.

When all the dwarves had paid their respects, seen their king one last time, the priest began.

He wished Hrothgar the best in death, asked the gods that he had a safe passage to the underworld and wished that he found peace with his ancestors. Then he sang peacefully in the dwarfish language.

When the priest had finished, Orik took the stand. By the time he had finished speaking, there were tears sparkling on his face. Eragon knew what he was feeling. He knew what it was like to lose people close to you, to lose the closest thing you had to a father.

Orik stepped down from the platform, tears running silently down his face. Eragon thought about how many people had died. He had seen the bodies that had littered the plains. He had looked into the lifeless faces. All these people had died because of one madman's greed. All these people probably had family and friends. All that was gained by war was loss and pain.

Arya, Eragon and Saphira stood silently as the lid was laid over the tomb, enclosing Hrothgar in stone forever more. Now he could join his ancestors. As Brom had once told Eragon, death was just another adventure.

The priest spoke once more then everyone stood silently for a minute, heads bowed in respect. Everyone watched as the tomb was taken from the hall, before following silently behind.

When the three were out of the hall and a safe distance from the many dwarves, they mounted Saphira. When they were safely in place Saphira took off carefully, avoiding the dwarves unlucky enough to be in the near vicinity.

When they landed back in Eragon's room, Eragon jumped down. He looked at Arya who was clearly having trouble, and helped her out of the saddle.

"Remind me never to ride in a dress again."

"Alright," Eragon said with a laugh.

Eragon suddenly looked at the floor, troubled.

"What's wrong Eragon?" Arya asked.

"It's nothing," Eragon said trying to shrug it off, but was unsuccessful.

"Eragon I have known you long enough to know when something is wrong." She said with an all knowing look.

"It's just," Eragon took a deep breath and sighed before continuing. "It's just ever since I found Saphira my life has been plagued by loss. Garrow, Brom, Murtagh, Ajihad, Hrothgar. This war is taking anyone that helps me. Everyone I care about." Eragon looked her in the eye. "Who am I supposed to lose next?"

"Eragon, it is not your fault what has happened. It is all the fault of Galbatorix. You need to be strong. Be strong and we will make it through the war."

"It hurts. All I know is that my future holds loss. I will probably have to kill my brother, Arya. My own flesh and blood."

"Maybe you won't. You know he doesn't want to work for Galbatorix. Maybe we can find a way to save him."

"I know," Eragon said sadly. "But it is still a war. People will die; all because of one man's greed. I know my future. Eventually I will lose everyone. No matter what, I will end up leaving -" Eragon stopped talking realising what he had almost revealed.

"Leaving what?" Arya asked her keen ears picking up the near slip.

"Nothing," Eragon said. There was a determination, a fear in his voice that she had never heard before, so she decided to let it pass. There was a look in his eye that made her know that if she wanted to find it out she would have to pry it from his well guarded mind.

"We will do everything in our power to save Murtagh. It is possible. Remember, the future isn't always set."

Though it did not show on his face, Eragon still had his hopes for Murtagh, his wishes. But if worst came to worst, Eragon knew that he might have to kill his own brother.

"Maybe," Eragon said, one stray tear falling down his cheek. Arya took a step forward and wiped the tear away with her thumb, allowing her soft hand to rest on his face a second longer than necessary.

Arya slowly brought her hand back. She looked into his eyes for a few seconds before leaving the room.

Eragon sat on the bed and pondered what she had said. Maybe they could save Murtagh. Maybe.

Eragon let the thought leave his mind as he prepared to rest. He would think about it in the morning. He always did.

"I the morning I shall scry for the riders. Who knows, maybe we can change the future."

"Maybe, we can do it first thing when we are all up. I think Arya would like to be there when you do."


"You're probably right. Arya doesn't like being left out," Eragon said with a laugh.

Saphira snorted amusedly. "Goodnight little one. Try not to wake up early. We have some well earned sleep to catch up on."

"Goodnight Saphira. Love you."

"I love you too little one."

Eragon snuggled up into his blankets, it was the first time in weeks he had slept in a real bed. Eragon tossed and turned, unable to sleep. There was something missing.

Eragon stood up and dragged his blankets over to Saphira. She lifted her wing and leaned up against her warm side. Saphira put her wing around Eragon I the kind of way a mother bird would its baby. Saphira was more comfortable than any bed.

They were both happy where they were. For them to be separated was the closest thing to hell on earth for both of them. The longest they had been separated was when Eragon had been in Gil'ead. And it had been hell for both of them.

Remembering that made Eragon snuggle closer to Saphira. Happy to be safe. Even if it was only for a short time.

A/N: well that is all for now. I know it is short but I will make the next one longer. I promise. If you want me to update soon all you need to do is click the little button in the left hand corner of the screen and tell me what you think. The more reviews I get the faster I will update.

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